Category: Toodles

A week ago last Saturday (August 5), my air-conditioning quit working a few minutes after six in the evening. In Georgia. In August. I called the folks I have a service agreement with, but it was too late for emergency service that day. I decided to tough it out until an already-scheduled service call Monday afternoon. I wussed out Sunday morning when I woke up and the house was eighty degrees. The service call cost me $300. Perhaps from sleeping with the windows open and a fan blowing on me, I picked up a bug. It started with a scratchy throat and a cough, but by Sunday night, had acquired various other symptoms that left me feeling like shit. I …

I haven’t taken more than a few days off from the day job for years. Nobody fills in when I’m out. An overwhelming quantity of emails, phone messages, and snail mail waiting when I return offset the benefits of getting away. I use vacation days a few at a time for long weekends throughout the year. I went into work on June 26 and, after checking my calendar, decided on a whim to take off until July 10. For thirteen glorious days, I hardly left the house. I did check my work email regularly and ended up having to go to the office once. But the rest of the time, I did exactly what I wanted to do. Not long …

Dear Friends, Holiday greetings from the Deep South. This year, I’m not sending any cards. My declining vision is such that hand-writing notes and addressing envelopes is too difficult. Yeah, I could print labels and mail form letters, but that’s about as personal as those stupid holiday email messages with dancing elves or some such. May as well write a holiday blog post. Regarding my vision (since I brought it up), I’m legally blind in one eye with 20/60 to 20/80 vision in the other. The retina specialist has given up on my bad (right) eye, but I get injections in the other one every four weeks to keep it from getting any worse. I see well enough to do most of what …

Toodles was diagnosed with diabetes in May. Insulin injections twice a day are the only treatment option. Because she turns into mini-Kujo, it takes two people to give her an injection. My last Diabetic Doggy post (July 11) revolved around figuring out a way to give her the injections after my ex moved back into his condo at the end of July. The veterinarian checked with an internal medicine specialist at the UGA Vet School. Oral medications are available, but have not been successful with dogs. He could put a port on her back (a surgical procedure), but they get blocked up easily and dogs don’t tolerate them very well. A pen, like an EpiPen, is another option. At first, …

In early May, we found out my little chihuahua, Toodles, was diabetic. We have to check her sugar twice a day (6:30 am and pm) and, if it’s less than 200, give her an insulin injection. Most of the time, her sugar is well over 200 so she gets an injection. I can’t see well enough to do it, but for Toodles, checking her sugar is not a problem. The stick inside of her ear doesn’t appear to hurt, and the double beep indicating the test is complete means time to eat. The injection comes after she eats. Giving her the injections takes two people. The injection itself takes two hands — one to pull up the skin while the other …

Last week, I shared about finding out Toodles, my chihuahua, is diabetic. Dealing with a pet’s chronic disease can be expensive. I worried about the cost and what I would decide to do. My rapidly approaching retirement has changed the way I think about money. The difference between wants and needs is a lot clearer. Reducing my expenses is a top priority because the less money I need, the sooner I can retire. How much am I willing to spend to keep my precious pup alive? Money wasn’t my only worry. Insulin injections twice a day are the only treatment option for dogs. I could maybe handle giving her the injections, but advanced macular degeneration prevents me from seeing well …

For her seventh birthday in early May, my sweet little long-haired chihuahua, Toodles, was diagnosed with diabetes. Daddy (aka moi) was devastated. Dollar signs flashed before my eyes. What was I going to do? I’m crazy about my little dog. She sleeps with me, gets anxious when I’m not around, and won’t have anything to do with anyone else but my ex. Yeah, I know the middle-aged gay man and his tiny little dog(s) is a cliche. What can I say? I drive a convertible too. I sleep on my side in a bed too high off the ground for Toodles to jump up or down. She curls up against me with her rump jammed into my armpit. If she wants down, …

Tomorrow my friend graduates from the rehab program he entered six months ago. Half a year has passed a lot faster than either of us expected. Time flies. If you’re looking for a good rehab facility, I highly recommend Bridges of Hope. Six months ago, I was skeptical. They don’t accept insurance, employ no professionals, and charge only $800 a month. I felt a little better after a trip down to check out the place, but still had my concerns. The program relies on a structured environment and the 12 Steps of AA/NA. Residents work four to six hours a day on one of several crews that carry out all the essential functions, such as cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the …

Few things are more adorable than a six-week old chihuahua puppy. Within days of my ex getting a dog I didn’t especially want, I accepted the little darling and took an active role in his upbringing. Early socialization is important, especially with nervous breeds like chihuahuas. Perhaps as a result of all the early attention, Tico is a smart, fun-loving, and courageous little dog who has never met a stranger. Tico is also unmistakably the ex’s dog. Despite my early crotchetiness, his preference for the ex sometimes hurt my feelings a tiny little bit. Yeah — the dog hurt my feelings. I’ll own it. Enter Toodles. As with Tico, we took her everywhere. Fearing she too would prefer my amiable ex over her crotchety daddy, …

WARNING: This post contains GRAPHIC images of a playful bitch* enjoying her bath. If that kind of thing floats your boat, please, get help. My six-pound chihuahua sleeps with me and is the best cuddle buddy I’ve ever had. I sleep on my side, and Toodles sleeps under my chin all snuggled into my armpit. When I turn over, she climbs up on the pillow and goes around my head to assume her rightful place on the other side. Given the intimacy of our relationship, she gets a lot of baths. Step One is to gather the materials: shampoo, towel, blow dryer, and brush. I’m not picky about the shampoo — as long as it smells good. Toodles doesn’t seem …